Package for cigarettes and other articles



June 14, 1960 R. D. H. HOOK 2,940,590

PACKAGE FOR CIGARETTES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed March 10, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR June 14, 1960 R. D. H. HOOK PACKAGE FOR CIGARETTES AND oTHER ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1958 R m N w m June 14, 1960 R. D. H. HOOK PACKAGE FOR CIGARETTES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed March 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR fiaZerZfl 51700 BY Q'W ATTORNEY United States Patent P PACKAGE FOR CIGARETTES AND OTHER ARTICLES Robert D. H. Hook, 159 Cliff St., Battle Creek, Mich.

Filed Mar. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 720,156

7 Claims. (Cl. 20641.2)

The present invention deals broadly withcartons, and in its specific phases with a special box form of package for cigarettes.

Practically all cigarette packages, until recently, were of the so called soft pac type, and which allowed cigarettes to be crushed or flattened, particularly when only a few cigarettes were left in the package. To meet this situation a hard pack package has been developed wherein the whole top of the package is hinged to form a flip top package. These packages are much more expensive to produce and are not wholly satisfactory since they tend to tear the edge of the cigarette ends when the package is being closed. it was a recognition of this problem and the lack of a wholly satisfactory solution to same which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved cigarette box having an upwardly swingable top panel portion to facilitate the removal of a cigarette.

The upwardly swingable top panel portion is provided with side wings which lie slidably against the inner surfaces of the box side walls; and an object of the invention is to provide said wings with stop extensions which limit the opening movement of the upwardly swingable top panel portion to a substantially vertical position.

Another object is to provide a novel construction in which the stop extensions of the side wings are adequately long to prohibit their accidental withdrawal from the box when opening the upwardly swingable top panel portion, thus avoiding difliculty when re-closing said top panel.

Yet another object is to provide a novel construction in which the aforesaid stop extensions prevent accidental forcing of the swingable top panel into an inaccessible position within the box.

An outer wrapper of the customary transparent cellulose or similar material is provided to moisture proof and protectively encase the box; and a further object of the invention is to secure the upwardly swingable top panel portion to the overlying portion of said outer wrapper, whereby when the upper portion of said outer wrapper is removed, it will at least partially open the swingable top panel portion.

An inner wrapper contains and further protects the cigarettes; and a still further object of the invention is to secure the upwardly swingable top panel portion to the underlying portion of said inner wrapper. Thus, when the top panel is opened, it will at least partially ten out the connected portion of the inner wrapper, aiding in the removal of said wrapper portions to allow cigarette removal.

Yet another object is to provide an economical and simple one-piece blank from which to form the carton.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the carton and carton blank means hereinafter fully described and particularly Patented June 14, 1960 pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings, and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the blank from which the completed box may be formed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the blank folded to form a partly completed box, the box top and associated elements being still related as in the original blank, in readiness for loading of the box.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the box loaded with cigarettes in an inner liner and showing the box top and associated elements partly lowered to the final operative position.

Figure 4 is a similar view, partly broken away, and showing the box in readiness for application of the outer wrapper.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the outer wrapper applied.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the box partly opened.

Figure 7 is a detail vertical sectional view as taken on line 77 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a similar view as taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6 but showing an empty box with the swingable top panel fully raised and the outer wrapper removed.-

It may be assumed that the blank of Figure l is formed of cardboard in suitable thickness which preferably will be in the range of 12 to 20 points or thousandths. A side wall panel it) is disposed at one end of the blank and is provided with a corner flap or ear 11 integrally joined to one of its vertical edges along a fold line 12. A forward edge ,wall panel 13 is joined along a fold line 14 to the other vertical edge of the side wall panel 10. A second side wall panel 15 is joined along a fold line 16 to the forward edge wall panel 13; and a rearward. edge wall panel 17 is joined along a fold line 18 to said second side wall panel 15. All of the panels 10, 13, :15 and 17 are substantially rectangular, and all of the fold lines 12, 14, 16 and 18 are substantially parallel.

A rearward top panel 19 is integrally joined along a fold line 20 to the upper end of the rearward edge wall panel 17, Figure 1, said hinge line 20 being in alignment with the upper longitudinal edge 21 of the blank. A forward top panel 22 is integrally joined along a hinge line 23 to the upper end of therearward' top panel 19. Two attaching flanges 24 are integrally joined along fold lines 25 to the side edges of the rearward top panel 19, said fold lines 25 being at right angles to the blank edge 21.

Two side wings 26 are integrally joined along fold lines 27 to the side edges of the forward top panel 22, said fold lines 27 being aligned with the lines 25. The side wings 26 have arcuate edges 28 preferably curved about centers at the junctures of the fold lines 23 and 25. These side wings. 26 are provided with integral extension arms 29 disposed at the outer edges 30 of the flanges 24. The outer edges 31 of the extension arms 29 are about tangential to the wing edges 28; and the inner edges 32 of said extension arms are in abutting relation with the flange edges 30.

Suitable bottom flaps 33 are integrally joined along fold lines 34 to the lower ends of the various wall panels 10, 13, 15 and 17.

In forming the box from the blank of Figure 1, this blank is first folded to relatively position the side wall panels 10 and 15, and the edge wall panels 13 and 17, and the corner flap 11 is glued to the rearward edge wall 17 as seen in Figure 2. Then, if the box is to be loaded from the top, as herein assumed, the bottom flaps 33 are inwardly folded into overlapping relation and glued togather. Then .the Cigarettes 35, packed an innner wrapper '36, are inserted as shown in Figure'3. The 'wrapper 36 is preferably of foil-covered paper as usually employed in cigarette packaging.

In closing the upper end 'of the inner wrapper 36 by folding, a triangular over-fold 37, Figure 3, is preferably formed'in the region which the forward top panel 22 is to later overlie. This over-fold 37'is foldedoutwardly upon itself at 38 to provide a pull tab 39 to facilitate the tearing out of a portion of the inner wrapper 36 to facilitate cigarette removal. A spot of glue 40, Figure 3, is applied .to the upper side of the pull tab 39 after in 'sertion of the wrapper 36 and the contained cigarettes '35 into the box. *Then, the flanges 24, side wings 26 and extension arms 29, Figures 1 and 2, are folded in and forwardly, Figure 3 from the top panels 19 and 22, about fold lines 25, 27, and 20, glue 41 is applied to said flanges 24. The top panels 19 and 22, the glued flanges 24, the side wings 26, and the extension'arms 29 are then unitarily swung forwardly and downwardly and said flanges 24 and arms 29 are guided between the wrapper 36 and the'side wall panels 10 and 15, as shown in Figure 3 taking care that these panels are not permitted to scrape glue from said flanges 24. When the top panels '19 and 22 reach their fully lowered positions, the rearward top panel 19 becomes attached, by the glue 41, to the side wall panels 10 and 15; and the forward top 'panel 22 becomes attached to the pull tab 39, as shown in Figure 4: H

' An outer wrapper 42, preferably of cellophane, is applied around the closed box, as seen in Figure 5, but "before sealing the upper end of said outer wrapper, a spot of glue 43 is applied to the forward top panel 22 asseen in Figure 4. This glue 43 connects this panel 22 iththe overlying portion 44 of the outer wrapper 42.

This wrapper is. provided with the usual tear strip 45, Figures 5 and 7. w

p In, the completed structure, as fragmentarily shown in V Figure'7, the extension arms 29 project rearwardly beyond the'hinge line 23 and abut the'lower edges of the secured flanges 24, thereby preventing the forward-top panel 22 frombeing accidentallymoved excessively into the box. Also, the pull' tab 39 is secured by the glue 40 to the forward top panel 22, and this panel 22is secured by the glue 43 to the overlying portion of the outer 'wrapper 42. j a V To open the package, the tear strip 45 is pulled to tear 'loosethe upper end of the outer wrapper 42. Then by pulling this severed wrapper end upwardly, Figure 6, the

require completing the top structure of the box, then loading, and then completing the bottom structure. Directional terms such as rearwardly, forward, top, and bottom have been used to facilitate describing the invention in the positions shown in the drawings, and are not to be considered aslimiting the invention.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the carton blank and box formed therefrom as herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any'of the following claims, orthe equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention: 7 a

1. In a cigarette 'box, parallel side walls, a forward edge wall and a rearward edge wall connected to said side walls, a top composed of a fixed rearward panel, unit-joined to the top 'edge of said rearward edge wall, and an upwardly swingable forward panel having its free edge at the upper end of saidforward edge wall, the

;two panels being connected by a hinge line transverse to the length of said top and spaced from said forward edge wall substantially an amount equal to the length of said upwardly swingable panel, and downwardly projecting side wings integral with the sides of said forward panel and disposed slidably against the inner sides of said side walls respectively, said side wings having elongated integral stop extensions projecting rearwardly inside of said box beyond said hinge line, said elongated extensions being positioned to strike said forward edge wall when said forward panel is swung upwardly to an approximately vertical position, said extensions being of adequate length to then stop further swinging of said forward panel in the same direction and prohibit withdrawal of said extensions from thei'nside of the box by normal rearward operating pressure on said forward panel. e

2. In a cigarette box, parallel side walls, a forward edge wall and a rearward edge wall connected to said sidewalls, a top composed of a fixed rearward'panel, unit-joined to thetop edge of said 'rearward edge wall, and an upwardly swingable forward panel having its free edge at the upper end of said forward edge wall,

the two panels being connected by a hinge line trans- 1 verse to the length of said top and spaced from said pressure on the raised top panel 22. Consequently, the

arms cannot interfere'with re-closing the top panel. The re-closing movement of this top panel 22 is limited by striking of the stop arms 29 against the lower edges of the fixed flanges 24 and thus said top panel cannot be accidentally depressed'readily to such a position as" to interfere with the next opening movement thereof.

It is to be understood that structural variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as claimed. Also, attention is invited to the possibility of loading the box from the bottom instead of forward. edge. wall substantially an amount equal to the length of said upwardly swingable panel, and down wardly projecting side wings integral with the sides of said forward panel and disposed slidably against the inner sides of said side walls respectively, said side wings having elongated integral stop extensions projecting rearwardly inside of said box beyond said hinge line,',said elongated extensions having horizontal lower edges substan'tially parallel with said forward panel and positioned to strike the inner faceof said forward edge wall when said forward panel is swung upwardly to a substantially vertical position, saidlower edges of said extensions being .of adequate length to .then stop furtherswinging of said forward panel in the same direction and prohibit withdrawal of said extensions from the inside of the box by normal rearward operating pressure on said forward panel.

. 3. In a cigarette box, parallel side walls, a forward edge wall and a rearward edge wall connected to said side walls, a top composed of a fixed rearward panel,

unit-joined to'the top edge of said rearward edge wall, and an upwardly swingable forward panel having its free edge at'the upper end of said forward edge wall,

the two panels being connected by a hinge line transverse to the length of said top and spaced from said forward edge wall substantially an amount equal to the length of said upwardly swingable panel, said rearward panel having unit joined and downwardly projecting longitudinal side edge flanges secured against the inner sides-of said'side walls respectively with said rearward panel flush with the ends of said side walls, and downwardly projecting side wings integral with the sides of said forward panel and disposed slidably against said inner sides of said side walls respectively, said side wings having elongated integral extension arms projecting rearwardly under and in abutting relation with the lower edges of said downwardly projecting longitudinal side edge flanges of said rearward panel so as to be stopped thereby and thus prevent depression of said forward panel into the box, said extension arms also having lower edges positioned to strike the inner face of said forward edge wall when said forward panel is swung upwardly to a substantially vertical position, said lower edges of said extension arms being of adequate length to then stop further swinging of said forward panel in the same direction and prohibit withdrawal of said arms from the inside of the box by normal rearward operating pressure on said forward panel.

4. A cigarette box having parallel side walls, a forward edge wall and a rearward edge wall connected to said side walls, an upwardly swingable forward top panel hingedly connected to a fixed rearward top panel joined at its sides by tabs on same to the upper edges of said side walls, said forward top panel having its free edge at the upper end of the forward edge wall, an outer wrapper completely enclosing said box and adapted for at least partial removal by the purchaser, and means securing said upwardly swingable top panel to the overlying portion of said wrapper, whereby removal of the upper portion of said wrapper may be utilized, through said securing means, to at least partially raise said upwardly swingable top panel.

5. A cigarette box having parallel side walls, a forward edge wall and a rearward edge wall connected to said side walls, a unitary one piece top unit joined to the top edge of said rearward edge wall, said top unit having a fixed portion with side ears joined to the inside face of the upper ends of said side walls, an upwardly swingable forward top panel portion with unitary depending side members slidably fitting the inside face of the forward portion of said side walls, said swingable forward top panel being hingedly connected to the forward edge of said fixed top panel portion and having its free edge at the upper end of said forward edge wall, said unitary depending side members of said forward top panel having elongated integral stop extensions positioned to strike the inside of said forward edge wall when said swingable top panel is swung to substantially vertical position, an inner cigarette-containing wrapper within said box and having a top portion underlying said upward swingable forward top panel and adapted to be torn out and removed to facilitate cigarette removal, and means securing said top portion of said inner wrapper to said upwardly swingable forward top panel with its unitary depending side members and integral stop extensions, whereby the initial upward hinging movement of said forward top panel may be utilized to at least partially tear out said portion of said inner wrapper to be removed.

6. A cigarette box having parallel side walls, a forward edge wall and a rearward edge wall connected to said side walls, a unitary one piece top unit joined to the top edge of said rearward edge wall, said top unit having a fixed portion with side ears joined to the inside face of the upper ends of said side walls, an upwardly swingable forward top panel portion with unitary depending side members slidably fitting the inside face of the forward portion of said side walls, said swingable forward top panel being hingedly connected to the forward edge of said fixed top panel portion and having its free edge at the upper end of said forward edge wall, said unitary depending side members of said forward top panel having elongated integral stop extensions positioned to strike the inside of said forward edge wall when said swingable top panel is swung to substantially vertical position, an inner cigarette-containing wrapper within said box and having a top portion underlying said upwardly swingable forward top panel portion with its unitary depending side members extending between said wrapper and the sides of said box, said top portion of said wrapper being adapted to be torn out and removed to facilitate cigarette removal, an outer wrapper enclosing said box and adapted for at least partial removal by the purchaser, means securing said top portion of said inner wrapper to the lower side of said upwardly swingable forward top panel portion, and means securing the upper side of said upwardly swingable forward top panel portion to the overlying portion of said outer wrapper, whereby removal of at least the upper portion of said outer wrapper may be utilized to at least partially raise said forward top panel portion and raising of this top panel portion may be utilized to at least partially tear out said portion of said inner wrapper secured thereto.

7. A blank from which to form a box having a single thickness top with an upwardly swingable top panel member as part of same, said blank comprising two side wall panels and two edge wall panels integrally connected along fold lines, a corner flap integrally connected along a fold line with one of said panels, bottom flaps integrally connected along fold lines with the lower ends of at least some of said side and edge wall panels, a rearward top panel integrally connected along a fold line with the upper end of one of said edge wall panels, said rearward top panel having side edges at right angles to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the blank, a forward top panel integrally connected along a hinge line, parallel to the longitudinal edge of said blank, with the outer end of said rearward top panel, the combined length of said rearward top panel and said forward top panel being substantially the same as the upper end of one of said side wall panels, said forward top panel having side edges aligned with said side edges of said rearward top panel, attaching flanges integrally joined along fold lines with said side edges of said rearward top panel, and side wings integrally joined along fold lines with said side edges of said forward top panel, said side wings having integral elongated extension arms projecting toward the aforesaid longitudinal edge of the blank and nesting with and lying at and along the outer edges of said attaching flanges of said rearward top panel, said side wings being cut away at their outer corner opposite to their fold line to facilitate pivotal movement of said forward top panel when a carton is formed from said blank, said wings having the outer edges of same substantially parallel to the fold line of said wings to form stop members for said forward top panel when said blank is formed into a carton, the combined width of said elongated extension arms and said attaching flanges of said rearward top panel being substantially the same as the length of said forward top panel from the hinge line of same to its free edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 788,381 Smith Apr. 25, 1905 2,202,279 Wilson May 28, 1940 2,339,656 Shina Jan. 18, 1944 2,593,778 McGinnis Apr. 22, 1952 2,610,770 Penfield Sept. 16, 1952 2,797,039 Belsinger June 25, 1957 

